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For those of us who want to create Instagram-worthy sugar cookies without the fuss, Beyond Frosting’s Sugar Cookie Icing recipe is nothing short of a sweet revelation. Forget about the countless hours spent trying to perfect the consistency of royal icing or the frustration of icing that just won’t set right. This recipe promises to simplify your baking adventures while still giving you that professional, glossy finish that makes your cookies pop.
How to make Beyond Frosting’s Sugar Cookie Icing
Beyond Frosting’s Sugar Cookie Icing is a type of icing specifically designed for decorating sugar cookies. It is often marketed as a smooth, easy-to-use, and quick-drying icing that hardens to a glossy finish. This icing is typically used to create beautifully decorated sugar cookies with a consistency that allows for both flooding (covering the surface of the cookie) and piping detailed designs.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of powdered sugar, sifted to ensure there are no lumps
- 2–3 tablespoons of milk (any kind you prefer, though whole milk gives a richer taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a hint of warm flavor
- Food coloring (optional) to give your icing that pop of color
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: Start by adding the sifted powdered sugar to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Incorporate the 2 tablespoons of milk and the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Your aim here is to achieve a thick but pourable consistency. If the icing seems too stiff, you can gently stir in an extra tablespoon of milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Color Your Icing: If you’re planning to add a splash of color to your creations, now’s the time to do it. Add your chosen food coloring to the icing and mix until the color is uniform. Start with a few drops and add more gradually to achieve the intensity you want.
- Prepare for Decorating: Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip for intricate designs, or simply snip the corner off a zip-lock bag for a makeshift piping tool. If you’re coating cookies entirely, you can also use a knife or a spoon to spread the icing over them.
- Decorate Away: Now for the fun part—decorating your cookies! Outline the borders of your cookies first if you want a precise edge, then fill in the centers. The icing will slightly spread, so give it a little room to move. If you’re using multiple colors, allow the first color to set for a few minutes before adding a second to prevent them from bleeding into each other.
- Set to Dry: Allow the iced cookies to dry completely, which will take about 1-2 hours, depending on the thickness of your icing layer. Once dry, the icing will harden, giving your cookies a smooth, glossy finish.
Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookie Icing:
- Consistency is Key: Getting the right consistency is crucial for the perfect icing. If it’s too thick, it won’t spread smoothly; if it’s too thin, it’ll run off your cookies. Aim for a texture that’s just fluid enough to spread but holds its shape when piped.
- Sift for Smoothness: Lumps in your icing can ruin the finish of your cookies. Ensure your powdered sugar is sifted before mixing to keep the icing smooth.
- Allow for Drying Time: Be patient and let your icing dry completely to achieve that crisp, professional look. If you’re in a rush, you can place them under a fan to speed up the drying process slightly.
- Play with Colors: Experiment with different colors to make your cookies vibrant and fun. The gel food coloring will give you vivid colors without affecting the consistency of your icing.
- Practice Piping: If you’re new to decorating, practice your designs on parchment paper before moving to cookies. It’s a great way to get comfortable with the piping process without wasting any treats.
Ingredients Substitutes
While Beyond Frosting’s Sugar Cookie Icing recipe is a great starting point, you might find yourself in need of substitutes due to dietary restrictions, allergies, or simply because you’re missing an ingredient. Here’s how you can swap out the basic ingredients to suit your needs:
Powdered Sugar:
- Coconut Sugar: Blend coconut sugar until it’s fine, like powdered sugar, then use it as a 1:1 substitute. This substitution may alter the color and flavor of your icing, giving it a more caramel-like taste.
- DIY Powdered Sugar: You can make your own powdered sugar by blending granulated sugar with cornstarch until it’s powdery.
Milk:
- Water: For a dairy-free option, use water instead of milk. The icing may be a bit less creamy, but it will still work for cookie decoration.
- Non-Dairy Milks: Any non-dairy milk, such as almond, soy, or oat milk, can be used as a 1:1 substitute for milk.
- Heavy Cream: For richer icing, use heavy cream instead of milk. Be careful, as this may make your icing much thicker, so adjust quantities accordingly.
- Lemon Juice: Adding lemon juice instead of milk will give your icing a tart flavor, which can be a refreshing twist. Do note that lemon juice will thin the Beyond Frosting’s Sugar Cookie Icing more than milk so that you may need less of it.
Vanilla Extract:
- Almond Extract: Use almond extract to add a nuttier flavor to your icing. As it’s potent, you may need less than the recipe calls for vanilla.
- Lemon Extract: Lemon or other citrus extracts can provide a tangy zest to your icing.
- Maple Syrup: For a hint of maple, use syrup in place of vanilla extract.
Food Coloring:
- Natural Food Dyes: If you prefer natural alternatives, opt for turmeric for yellow, beet juice for pink or red, or spinach powder for green.
- Powdered Food Coloring: This can be a great alternative to liquid food coloring, especially if you’re concerned about adding additional liquid to your icing.
Final Thoughts
This simple yet versatile Beyond Frosting’s Sugar Cookie Icing will elevate your sugar cookies to an artistry level in no time, ensuring your baked goods are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.
More Icing Recipes:
Ingredients
- 2 cups of powdered sugar, sifted to ensure there are no lumps
- 2–3 tablespoons of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a hint of warm flavor
- Food coloring (optional) to give your icing that pop of color
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Start by adding the sifted powdered sugar to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Incorporate the 2 tablespoons of milk and the 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir vigorously until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Your aim here is to achieve a thick but pourable consistency. If the icing seems too stiff, you can gently stir in an extra tablespoon of milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
- Color Your Icing: If you're planning to add a splash of color to your creations, now's the time to do it. Add your chosen food coloring to the icing and mix until the color is uniform. Start with a few drops and add more gradually to achieve the intensity you want.
- Prepare for Decorating: Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip for intricate designs, or simply snip the corner off a zip-lock bag for a makeshift piping tool. If you're coating cookies entirely, you can also use a knife or a spoon to spread the icing over them.
- Decorate Away: Now for the fun part—decorating your cookies! Outline the borders of your cookies first if you want a precise edge, then fill in the centers. The icing will slightly spread, so give it a little room to move. If you're using multiple colors, allow the first color to set for a few minutes before adding a second to prevent them from bleeding into each other.
- Set to Dry: Allow the iced cookies to dry completely, which will take about 1-2 hours, depending on the thickness of your icing layer. Once dry, the icing will harden, giving your cookies a smooth, glossy finish.
